Our Long‑Term 2026 Honda Passport Is Still a Hot Commodity
The 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport has become the office’s prized road‑trip machine thanks to its roomy interior and cargo capacity.
Why the Passport Stands Out
“I’ve finally won!” exclaimed technical editor Austin Irwin after securing the long‑term 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport for a weekend. The reaction, usually reserved for sports cars or manual‑transmission vehicles, highlights the SUV’s unexpected appeal.
While not the most engaging vehicle in the office, the Passport’s ability to “effortlessly eat both cargo and miles” makes it a favorite for road trips, offering value that rivals the precision of a 911 or the shifter feel of a Miata.
Road‑Trip Praise from the Team
In the 10,000 miles since the last check‑in, editors have taken the Passport to Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio. All three staffers described it as “a damn good road tripper.”
Online production assistant Sarah Taylor highlighted the smooth ride and competent handling on winding mountain roads in Ohio’s Hocking Hills. Senior social media editor Carter Fry added that the SUV “is so well balanced considering its size and all‑terrain tires.”
The interior’s comfort and spaciousness cement its status as the office’s road‑trip hero.
Cargo Capacity That Impresses
Descriptors such as “cavernous,” “spacious” and “generous” appear repeatedly in the in‑car logbook. Testing showed the liftgate can hold 16 carry‑on suitcases with the rear seats upright and 38 when the rear bench is folded, surpassing the Toyota 4Runner by 13 and nine suitcases respectively.
News editor Eric Stafford packed the Passport for a ski trip to northern Wisconsin, noting ample room for three people and all their gear. No item has yet been found that won’t fit.
Minor Tech Glitches
Several editors reported software hiccups: phone pairing issues, Google Maps connectivity problems and Apple CarPlay glitches. One incident left the infotainment screen blank while music continued; another saw the GPS display in the digital gauge cluster freeze despite Android Auto running. Both were fixed with a simple restart.
An ambiguous logbook comment likened the interior to “something you’d order out of an L.L. Bean catalog,” leaving its tone uncertain.
Service History and Costs
The Passport received its 10,000‑mile oil service under Honda’s one‑year, 12,000‑mile complimentary maintenance plan. The only out‑of‑pocket expense to date was the 20,000‑mile service—oil and filter change, tire rotation and inspection—for $184.
The only hardware change was swapping back to the original 275/60R‑18 General Grabber A/T Sport tires after the Continental VikingContact 8 winter tires wore out, a task handled by staff.
Specs at a Glance
Months in fleet: 13
Current mileage: 20,211 miles
Average fuel economy: 20 mpg
Fuel tank size: 18.5 gal
Observed fuel range: 370 miles
Price (base/as tested): $53,900 / $54,355
Options: Sunset Orange paint, $455
Engine: DOHC 24‑valve V‑6, 285 hp @ 6100 rpm, 262 lb‑ft torque @ 5000 rpm
Final Thoughts
Even in a performance‑driven office, the long‑term 2026 Honda Passport TrailSport Elite shines as a coveted vehicle. Its plush seats, poised ride quality and seemingly boundless cargo hold make it hard to beat for a thousand‑mile road trip, and the key fob will likely remain hotly contested as the miles add up.
